Getting a bump/upgrade on E-Ticket
 

I tried posting this in the TravelBuzz forum but got no answer so I'll try here instead because for me it mainly concerns SAS.

When I fly I don't mind using E-tickets at all, being able to choose my seat myself is a bid advantage I think.
What I have been thinking about though, is what your chances of being upgraded/bumped are when travelling like this. Since you never get to speak to a person how easy it is to be upgraded? Does it differ from manual check-in? And volunteering to bump, where should that be done?
Has anyone got any experience of being upgraded/bumped with e-tickets?

It is still possible to check in using an e-ticket. Just go to the check-in counter, present the card you booked the etix on and say you want to check in. If the flight is overbooked they will ask you if you would like to Volounteer for Denied Boarding (VDB). This is recorded in your PNR as 'VDB' and you get called up at the gate if the situation gets critical.

Another way is to check in at the machine, then go to the gate early and offer yourself as VDB. The gate agents tell you if they are looking for people a that point.

Etix are not a problem for gate agents, although it involves some extra typing work to arrange for the audit coupons.

Regards Oliver

I've been bumped several times using e-tickets or tickets in the self service machine, and then just asking at the gate as this is where most (all?!) bumping decisions are made. Just make sure to go there early and to offer your help if they are overbooked...

Regarding upgrades, I have no experience http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif possibly due to the reason that I always use the self service machines... My guess would be that it's more likely to occur if you are checking in using an agent rather than using a self service machine... Remember that you can go to the checkin agents with e-tickets as well. They simply swipe your card instead of the ticket.
There have been occurrences when the the self service machine has been unavailable for check-in "for this flight", and I have had to check in with an agent. When checking in I was told that the flight was oversold (they didn't need any volunteers though...).

What does using an e-ticket and selecting your own seat have in common? At least all the self-service machines I've used in HEL can accept paper tickets in addition to your card that's used as the e-ticket key. Works nice and smoothly, even with LH tickets (on LH stock).

And yes, I have been bumped as well when using e-tickets. Just ask at the gate, that's the place where the bumping decisions are normally made. Being there early helps.

A bit off topic maybe, but whilst we are mentioning the self service machines...
I want to give SAS credit for their supperior self service machines! They take ALL tickets (also the old style with bar codes which I haven't seen any other airline accept in their machines) as well as the great service with baggage tags and seat selection! The machines are simply great! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

yes but they do not accept NZ as a frequent flyer partner!

List every airline under the sun, but not NZ! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Mark

Hi Guys.

I just like to give my input.

First regarding "bumped" before or after you check yourself in ask the floor walker.(the should allways be one) So that we can keep track of how any Vol's we got so far. Or ask at the gate.

Regarding Upgrades: It's never done at check in. Unless for EBP/EBG's.
But again ask at the gate. (But if you hold a cheap fare, not a *member and wear jeans.... please don't ask.) Jeans is no! no! for upgrades.

Mike

The booking engine accepts Air Points as Frequent Flyer programme (which is the programme of Air New Zealand), but not as an e-ticket ID... Don't know why, but you can add any credit card instead... There are many other FFP's that are accepted only as Frequent Flyer programme for accrual, but not as e-ticket ID. Don't really know why...

Regarding Upgrades: It's never done at check in. Unless for EBP/EBG's.
But again ask at the gate. (But if you hold a cheap fare, not a *member and wear jeans.... please don't ask.) Jeans is no! no! for upgrades.

Mike

I did in BKK at check in, being a Basicmember and on a cheap ticket, dont remember if i had jenas on, it must been my handsome and smiling face :-). Well it was only from Y to Y+, But from now on i am spoiled :-)

[This message has been edited by bjerregaard (edited 05-13-2003).]

Upgrading from Y to Y+ is what I would call 1/2 upgrade.
You still get same food. Only the seat is diff.
So maybe because of your charming smile, we picked you.

But it was at check-in, she took the phone and called somebody. I know the food is the same, I don't care. Y+ comfort is so much better than normal coach ;-)

The booking engin and everything else accepts NZ as a FF partner.

But! The SAS easy checkins read the card and the number fine, but in the list of FF programmes NZ is not listed! :-(

NB - this only occurs of course if you are changing your FF number from something else to NZ or wish to add it.

Incidentally as well the SAS system does not recognise NZ*G as gold, not in the boarding pass, not on the manifest never anywhere. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Mark

Just adding my complaint with the SAS check-in machines. They don't take Virgin Atlantic Freeway cards either. Please SAS, correct the bug. It should be at the top of the list http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.